Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Spanish hotel chain, Fiesta has completed the preliminary plans for its US$500 million phase two expansion in Point, Hanover, having submitted plans to the Lucea Parish Council for approval earlier this week.

The plans call for an immediate 900 additional rooms with a further development of an 18-hole championship golf course and luxury housing development, Fiesta’s general manager, Dimitris Kosvogniannis told The Gleaner on Wednesday.

The housing project is part of the ongoing development on lands across the road from the resort and is for public and executive management, he said.

Fiesta currently operates two resorts in Hanover, the Grand Palladium and Lady Hamilton, both averaging over 1,000 rooms.

According to Kosvogiannis Fiesta will bring to Jamaica, its luxury brand, The Royal Suites, which comes with butler service, swim-up pool, large living quarters and other luxury amenities.

“We anticipate creating employment for an additional 1,000 staff while the construction process will engage 2,000 to 3,000 workers. Fiesta has committed to using the latest technology and best materials in the development,” said Kosvogiannis.

As part of its ongoing commitment and faith in Jamaica, the chain has employed local architects Omari Wright and Ard Zuar of Zuar and Wright Limited to supervise the project, while local contractors present their proposals.

“This is a historic moment for us, and we are thankful to the Government of Jamaica and in particular the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Tourism and JAMPRO for their continuous support and cooperation in this endeavor. We are grateful for our owners’ support and their resilience as well as their ongoing desire to invest in Jamaica’s economy and growth,” said the general manager.

With casino gambling one of the main goals on their agenda, last October The Gleaner reported that the resort had hopes of injecting economic fortunes into the parish once dubbed ‘Cinderella’.

The hotel’s ambitious casino proposal is now under consideration by the government.

Part of the expansion includes over 250 Royal Suites which is Fiesta’s top product. Each suite comes with room service, 24-hour butler service, swim-up patios and other special amenities.

The Fiesta resorts remain the single largest hotel project in Jamaica that has had the biggest economic impact in that region, being placed in an area that over the years was plagued with unemployment, closure of several factories and migration.

Then Kosvogiannis noted that both foreign and domestic investors are looking for an environment that encourages them, while stimulating the economy. “We believe casinos provide such opportunity for Jamaica.”

According to him a casino for the Hanover/Westmoreland area will allow an otherwise rural and primarily agricultural community to flourish.

The casino, he added will bring with it the contemplated construction of a Marina to allow docking for mega yachts that attracts high end clientele.

“It is expected that it will attract “high rollers” who will undoubtedly contribute to Jamaica’s GDP, said the resort’s general manager.

He said: “As we understand the thresholds laid out by the government we are certainly one of the hotels that qualify in meeting same.

Accordingly he is suggesting that although other developers have expressed interest, they may be the only ones that have placed “earnest money” (money a buyer deposits in good faith in anticipation of a real estate sale) with verifiable guarantees and ability to proceed.

To this end, he is convinced the casino will attract additional visitors to the island who otherwise would spend their money on other islands. It is our mission to implant Jamaica as the only destination in the Caribbean. The casino is one of the vehicles to accomplish such an objective,” said the general manager.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com